Why writing every day isn’t the only path to success
Hey writer friend,
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Write every day, and you’ll succeed!” And while consistency is key - and I will forever encourage it! - I want to gently remind you that writing every single day isn’t the only path to success. In fact, it might not even be the best fit for everyone.
Let’s explore why—and how you can still thrive on your own terms.
1. Your Creative Flow is Unique
Not everyone’s brain works on a daily writing schedule. Some writers need a few days of space between sessions to let ideas marinate. That’s okay! If I’m being 100% honest, I don’t even write every day. While I’m building a 6-day a-week writing routine, I allow myself one day (usually Sundays) to take a step back and breathe.
You don’t want to burn yourself out by jumping in 1000000% right away. When you’re first starting out, learn to trust your rhythm and give yourself permission to write when you feel most inspired. Success is about finding what works for you, not following a strict rulebook.
*Caution: Inspiration is fleeting; discipline is showing up even when you’re uninspired. See last week’s post “Mistakes New Writers Make (and How to Avoid Them) for a nugget of wisdom on this.
2. Rest and Reflection Are Essential
Creativity isn’t just about producing words—it’s about thinking, reflecting, and sometimes, resting. Taking breaks to recharge and reflect on what you’ve written can actually improve your work. Giving yourself the space to breathe will help you come back to the page with fresh eyes and renewed energy.
I love breaking my writing sessions into sprints. 4, 20-25 minute sprints with a 5-10 minute break to allow me to stretch, think, and ruminate about the direction of my plot and the attitude of my characters. There are some really great writing sprint sessions on YouTube that you can put on and type away to if you need a little focus and a handy-dandy timer. I recommend Abbie Emmons’ videos for this personally <3
3. Quality Vs Quantity
I can’t say exactly which is better because the truth is quality comes from quantity. You can’t create quality books from blank pages. Meaning, you have to first write something before you can turn it into quality literature.
But I get it, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to write thousands of words every day to get somewhere. So, instead of bumming out because you aren’t writing 10K words every time you sit down, just try writing 500, maybe 1K words.
Writing a dumpster fire first page is far more valuable than trying to write the world’s best sentence and getting nowhere for hours.
4. Life Happens
Life is unpredictable. Maybe you’ve got a full-time job, family obligations, or just need a mental health day. The pressure to write every day can make you feel like you’re failing when things don’t go as planned. But you don’t have to write every single day to be a successful author. Flexibility is key—and writing when you can is far more important than forcing it when you can’t.
So, seriously, don’t stress about writing every. single. day. Schedule it into your life. Make the time you spend writing work for you.
5. Success Comes in Many Forms
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing. Your success might look different from someone else’s, and that’s perfectly fine. Whether you write once a week or several times a day, what matters is your passion, your growth, and your commitment to your craft.
God has a plan for your story; the only thing that matters is that you write it.
Conclusion
Writing every day isn’t the only path to success. It’s about finding what works for you, honoring your creative process, and trusting that your journey will unfold in its own time. Be kind to yourself and embrace the rhythm that feels most natural.
If you’re ready to craft a writing routine that aligns with your lifestyle and goals, my Aspiring Author’s Toolkit can help you do. Inside, you’ll find practical resources, tips, and encouragement to help you find your own unique path to success.
